[Unpad.ac.id, 4/08/2017] UNESCO Global Geopark Assessment Team (UGG) completed its series of visits in the Geopark National Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu area on Friday (4/08). The visit has been held since 1 August and it is tasked to assess the Geopark Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu area to become the UNESCO World Geopark region.

“God willing (with this assessment), we will be certified. That means we can build a good standard of geopark management, “said Rector of Universitas Padjadjaran Prof. Tri Hanggono Achmad after the release of UGG Assessor Team in the Office Hall of Sukabumi Regional Secretariat, Friday (04/08).

Unpad’s involvement in building the Geopark Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu area has been continued by the Rector. At the time of assessment, the UNESCO Assessor Team was also accompanied by Professor of Faculty of Geological Engineering Unpad, Prof. Ir. Mega Fatimah Rosana, M.Sc., PhD. In fact, the assessment team was also invited to visit the Walagri Padjadjaran Earth Building in the Surade district.

Furthermore, Rector said that Unpad research in Ciletuh shows that Unpad academic product is well recognized. This contribution makes its own advantages for Geopark Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu, which is the only Geopark area that involves the element of college.

“Building Global Geopark (key) networking,” said Rector.

Currently, Unpad has established Geopark and Geological Disaster Research Center which is chaired by Prof. Mega. Unpad’s flagship center is expected to be a reference for the development of science on the management of geological, biological, and cultural resources to be developed through the concept of earth park.
Given the potential of Geopark Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu that focuses on three aspects, namely geology, biodiversity, and cultural diversity, the Rector is committed to conducting research activities to be continued.

“This research should be encouraged transdisciplinary,” said Rector.

The UNESCO assessment team assessed at Geopark Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu were Alexandru Andrassanu (Romania), Soo Jae Lee (South Korea), and Global Geopark Network Advisor Hanang Samodra. During the assessment, the team was invited to see various potential locations in the area of Ciletuh and Palabuhanratu.

In Bumi Walagri Padjadjaran, the team saw various research results of civitas academica Unpad in Ciletuh Palabuhanratu area from various scholarship. One by one, Prof. Mega explained the details and outcomes that resulted from the research. Alexandru also had praised the activities of Unpad who continue to actively conduct research in the region.

Overall, the team appreciated the steps of West Java Provincial Government, Sukabumi Regency, Unpad, and various other stakeholders in encouraging the development of Geopark Ciletuh.

In the release speech, Alex revealed, the visit to Ciletuh and Palabuhanratu this becomes an experience of its own. The variety of geological, natural, and cultural potentials in Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu can be a special attraction.

“We find a region with a diversity of identity uniqueness, only in Geopark Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu,” he said.

In the event, the Vice Governor of West Java, Deddy Mizwar, the Regent of Sukabumi Marwan Hamami and representatives of stakeholders involved in developing Geopark Ciletuh,